Podcasting Basics: Oral Story-Telling for the Digital Age

Have you dreamed of creating your own podcast? Podcasting has become a popular way to share aural stories and with today's technology, it is easier than ever. In this day-long workshop, NPR science correspondent Richard Harris will introduce participants to the basics of how to tell a story using audio and help participants produce a podcast of their own. Participants will learn how to structure an audio story, get interviewing tips, and learn the basic techniques of crafting a podcast. Using just a smart phone and a computer with free audio editing software, participants will get hands-on experience in producing a short podcast of their own.

*Plan to take an hour between these sessions to make your own recording. Additional editing time provided on March 30th from 6:30-8:30PM (optional, sign up on day of event)

Additional information/What each participant needs to participate:

1. Each participant will need to have a smart phone with voice memo app that has audio export capabilities. We will be using iPhone's built-in voice memo app for this class but all other smart phones are welcome. 2. By the start of each session, all students will need to have a voice memo app downloaded to their phones that is capable of exporting audio (recordings). 3. Laptops are encouraged but not necessary. Afternoon Editing sessions take place in ASU Computer Labs for those who are not bringing their laptops.4. If you are bringing your own laptop to your session, we request that you download the Audacity App prior to class. This way, we will spend less time trouble shooting and more time editing our content. You can download the app here: Download for Mac Download for Windows. 5. Additional editing time will be provided in an ASU computer lab the evening of March 30th from 6:30-8:30 PM. Space is limited and can be reserved the day of your session if needed. 6. If you RSVP and cannot attend the event, please let us know. We anticipate a wait list and would like as many people as possible to benefit from this class. If you can't make it, let us know and we will make sure someone fills your seat!

More about the Instructor:

Richard Harris has covered science, medicine and the environment at NPR since 1986. He has traveled the world gathering audio and telling stories about everything from climate change in Greenland to nuclear meltdowns in Japan and locust swarms in West Africa. Happily, audio technology has come a long way since he started out. While he once used razor blades to cut quarter-inch tape on reel-to-reel machines, digital technology makes the production end of audio considerably easier. The true art is in thinking about how to conduct interviews, how to structure a story that has a narrative arc, how use natural sound and music, and how to pull all that together in a compelling package. This workshop will introduce participants to the basic concepts of a successful audio story, whether it's for the radio, web or podcast.